Old marlin glenfield model 60 vs New Marlin model 60

[wnycollector]

I took my two sons to the range last weekend and it became apparent that I needed another .22 I have a soft spot in my heart for the Marlin 60's since that was my first rifle back in the 70's. I already have a CMMG .22 AR upper and a green mountain barreled Ruger 10/22 now I think I'm going to pick up a Model 60. I found a pristine 1970's vintage 18 round Marlin Glenfield Model 60 for $130 locally. I can pick up a new 14 round Marlin Model 60 for $180.

I'm looking for opinions on build and trigger quality between new and old plus accuracy differences (if any).

 

[Naybor]

I also have the older Marlin 18 shot Model 60 too and I wouldn't trade or sell it for anything. It's the most accurate .22 I've ever owned. I understand the newer ones are no slouch either. A lot of their accuracy has to do with their "micro-groove" bore. Marlin changed to the 14 round magazine when some of the states required it. I do believe that is about the only difference between the two.

 

[Onmilo]

The older guns were made from aluminum, steel and wood.
The newer guns use a lot of synthetic materials in the construction but that isn't such a bad thing.
The takedown is very slightly different on the newer guns with a push pin replacing the lock screws at the rear of the receiver.

 

[heeler]

I own a model 60 that was a gift to me back in 1992 and I consider it pretty well made.
But if I came across one built in the timeline you speak of in pristine condition I would readily buy it over todays produced product.

 

[EAJ]

Here's a Glenfield Marlin Mod 60 that I purchased in 68. Haven't had any issues with it in 43 years. (Can't believe that I'm such an old fart now given that I remember when and where I purchased it.)

Has longer mag tube to accomodate 18 (LR) rounds, birch stock, does NOT have a manual bolt hold open or last-shot bolt open feature, with a lever in front of the trigger guard to release the bolt, like the later models. I've found it to be more accurate than many rimfire rifles in it's class.

 

[dewalt-2]

You can't go wrong with a 60. Just take it down and clean it well before shooting, there's some gunk in there. Then give it a VERY light oiling. These run best pretty dry, and collect a lot of crud if wet. I'd suggest shooting a pack of CCI MiniMags to loosen things up.
Great little rifles, my '94 $69 Wally's has served me well.

 

[offthepaper]

I have a Glenfield 60 (Marlin) that I bought in a pawn shop
around 1993 for $45.
Very good shooting 22. Never ahd any trouble out of it. I think I cleaned it once.

 

[Furncliff]

M60's are great. Even though I think 130 is too much, if it's pristine I would definitely be tempted. About the only difference you will likely notice is the last shot hold open feature may not be on the older rifle.

 

[courtgreene]

I have a '71 mod. 60 that I got a few years ago at a gun show for fifty dollars, i also just fixed/restored and sold my brother's new mod. 60. He's not a very good owner, it took a lot of work, anyway that led me to looking at all the parts side by side. here is my comparison.

New: The last shot bolt hold open is actually quite nice, and the bolt stop release is also great because using these things makes it less common to shoot on an empty chamber. The amount of plastic parts, not just the trigger guard but also the internals, is quite surprising. Some of the plastic parts are very easy to wear out, like the rear screw mentioned above (not this post). The wood stock is much less dense, but looks fine. Shorter mag tube. The bolt hold open/release make it a little more complex if you have to take it apart, but to clean all the internal parts, carburetor cleaner works miracles.

Old: heavier, but almost all wood and metal. The buffer on many of these are worn out or dried out. Easy to dry fire if you don't count rounds. the sights on the newer version seemed easier to adjust, but my older rifle came with rusted sights, I've been meaning to replace those.

Both scope easily, both are accurate, it depends on what's more important to you... more rounds or a last shot bolt hold?
I forgot to mention, the new model seems to have a better trigger, but it may have just been the rifles I used.

 

[Deus Machina]

If it's in great shape and you want the extra capacity, get the older one.

If you want the bolt hold-open or something unworn, get the new one.

I can't comment on the old one, but the triggers on new ones are stiff. I never got why people get quite so uptight about a stiff trigger--as long as it's a short pull--but it was enough that even I took it out and cut a coil off the spring. Now it's perfectly in the middle of the 'serviceable' range for me.

I also don't buy that the accuracy is because of the microgroove barrel. It's great, but I figure it's aside from the microgrooves, or that they have an easier time making the barrel consistent because of that method, but I don't think it's because of the depth, size, or number of grooves. But I'll be danged if it's not a great barrel no matter what the reason is!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd find it tough to pay $130 for a "vintage" 60 unless it was NIB and then it would still be hard. I guess my reluctance comes from remembering them being 40 bucks everyday at K-Mart way back when.

 

[Old Shooter]

I bought a Glenfield model 60 two years ago for $80 and felt it was a very good deal. Shoots great, accurate, wouldn't sell it now for $130.

At that price you are probably paying about what it is worth and that is not bad. They are great guns, well worth the money.

 

[hdbiker]

I boughy my grandson,12 years old,a modle 60 for graduating Hunters Safty Classes two years ago.He loves it.it digests any brand of ammo flawlessly. biker

 

[ball3006]

The older rifles hold 17 in the magazine where the new rifles only hold 14. Otherwise, not much difference......chris3

 

[thralldad]

I picked up a 60 for $120 and I considered it a pretty good deal. Then I got a 75C (carbine legth) and I really like them!

 

[wnycollector]

Thralldad, I love that Boyds Ross thumbhole stock on the M60. Did it require fitting or bedding?

 

[slowr1der]

You can find older Marlin 60's for $100 all the time in like new shape in this area. So I think $130 is too high. The new ones seem to sell for $150 new at Walmart and about the same used, or the stainless steel ones go for $210 new here, and about $150 used.

 

[tarosean]

Id take the older one... A 130.00 bucks is a tank of gas or a couple bags of groceries now-a-days. Ive had mine since '72, only problem is the son lost the front sight somewhere.

 

[cleardiddion]

I have a 71 vintage one and I don't think I'd get a new one if that was a choice.

 

[oerllikon]

Mines from '82, Ive had to replace the recoil spring, firing pin, and hammer spring(HUGE pain). Its got an 18 shot mag, no automatic bolt hold open (manual, if you hold the cocking lever[if thats the right word for it]), short trigger pull with some slack which I prefer, would be easy to scope, but I put a scope on my 925 instead. Its awesomely accurate, and I wouldnt replace all of those parts if I didnt think it was a great rifle. I paid 100 for mine, but Id try to talk em down if it was 130

 

[courtgreene]

Jeff 56, look at the rear screw in that runs horizontally behind the trigger on the new guns, again I didn't say it was a bad thing, but notice the plastic that holds that screw in. I've seen those wear out a few times. I've also noticed that the take down screw in the front on newer rifles have stripped a lot, but that isn't synthetic, and the guys I know who have stripped them aren't exactly maintaining their rifles well, so that is probably why.

 

[wnycollector]

Thanks for the opinions folks. Let me toss this into the mix as well, I just saw that Gander mountain has Marlin 795's in sale for $99 after a $25 rebate...thoughts?

 

[wnycollector]

By the time I got back to the gun shop to buy the old Model 60...it was gone. So I ended up getting the Marlin 795 for $99 at Gander Mountain. I added a centerpoint 3-9x32 AO scope I had lying around and now one of my sons is in business.

 

[JoeMal]

While I can't say anything about the old versus new debate, I do have a newer 60 and it is definitely a sub-moa gun out of the box. Loves Mini-Mags and Fed bulk pack. Got mine for $150 about a year ago at Dicks...so unless prices went up, you may want to shop around a bit for a cheaper price

 

[gdcpony]

I am refreshing this old thread by renewing the question. I went out looking today for a .22 for my son- Christmas is right around the corner- and found one of these as well as a few model 60's at the local pawn shops. Going rate for all of them was $150+ with the Glennfield being $149.

I like the squirrel and other graphics on the stock. I started with a Model 60SS back when those first came out so I think it would be fitting to start him off on a similar rifle. Any input would be appreciated.

By the way, when is .22LR going to being available? This is ridiculous shooting our .223's for price and availability.